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Anonymous Posted 20 years ago
Grammar

questions on articles

Hello,

Help me please.

1. Why is the definite article 'the' necessary in this case? Is that because it is referring to a specific nation or people? But I still don't know what that is meant.

It brought the Koreans into the peace process.

2. How do we know for sure when to use the phrases "a last something" and "the last something"?

This is a last instruction (for you to follow today).

This is the last instruction (for you to follow today).
  

Top answer

It brought the Koreans into the peace process. Yes, the nation. It brought Korea into ...

— Marius Hancu

  • It brought the Koreans into the peace process.
  • Yes, the nation.
  • It brought Korea into ...
  • It brought Koreans into the peace process.
  • Not the same: only some Koreans (and not the most representative, perhaps) were brought into ...
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6 Answers
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It brought the Koreans into the peace process. Yes, the nation. It brought Korea into ...

It brought Koreans into the peace process. Not the same: only some Koreans (and not the most representative, perhaps) were brought into ...
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This is a last instruction (for you to follow today). But there could be others .... (not so strict/rigid).

This is the last instruction (for you to follow today). This is indeed the very last. Very strict.
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Hmmm. a last instruction doesn't make any sense to me.

CJ
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CalifJimHmmm. a last instruction doesn't make any sense to me.

CJ

I agree with you.
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Doesn't sound so bad to me, but maybe "one" sounds better: "Oh, and there's one last thing I'd like you to do". It gives the idea of an afterthought, while "the last" gives the idea of something already established at the end of a list.
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Yes. one last thing is normal.
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